FICAP networking event: fostering knowledge exchange and sharing experiences

The event began with two inspiring keynote speakers. Padraig Oliver (UNFCCC) clearly outlined the multilateral framework for international climate finance and how the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) relates to the reality on the ground. Joris Totté, CEO of the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO Invest), then took the floor. He emphasised the crucial role of the private sector in climate solutions in the Global South and explained how development banks can act as a lever for scaling up climate finance.

Round-table discussions

Following the plenary session, participants engaged in discussions at seven thematic roundtables. Various organisations were invited to present a project case study. The constructive dialogue that ensued among all participants led to insightful exchanges and opened up new opportunities for collaboration. We have summarised the key insights from the thematic roundtables below.

Theme 1 – Water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus

The discussions highlighted just how closely intertwined water, energy, food and ecosystem issues are, and how essential local knowledge is to properly assess those interconnections. Issues relating to land rights, short-term versus long-term considerations, and the fair distribution of benefits proved to be decisive. A more holistic approach to project implementation, ideally complemented by a focus on health, received broad support.

Theme 2 – Go Local

It emerged during this discussion that projects are most successful when they are based on local vision, knowledge and resources, and adapt to local customs. Political shifts, tensions between local and external ownership, and deliverables that do not meet local needs present significant challenges. Short-term results and employment appear to be powerful levers for building support, whilst trust takes time to develop. Aligning partners before the start of a project is crucial.

Theme 3 – Pace of innovation

Participants emphasised that digital tools and technology are essential for scale and efficiency, but that their choice and applicability depend heavily on the local context and on reliable, usable data. Local production, co-creation and long-term maintenance structures are crucial for embedding technology sustainably and scaling it up. Extreme poverty and limited access to digital resources make offline and robust solutions indispensable in many communities.

Theme 4 – Innovative financing

The discussion highlighted the lack of risk-bearing capital in the early stages of development, precisely where demonstration projects and feasibility studies require grants and loss-absorbing instruments. Strengthening local financing and providing technical support were seen as crucial levers, alongside better coordination of existing financing instruments. At the same time, it was emphasised that innovative financing must not shift risks onto local communities.

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Theme 5 – Citizen Science

The discussions highlighted the role of citizen science as a sustainable and inclusive tool in international climate research and for climate action. By involving farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders in a participatory manner right from the formulation of the research question, a sense of ownership is fostered and local realities and knowledge are integrated. Citizens – citizen scientists – contribute their observations, including both quantitative measurements and qualitative stories and micro-narratives, thereby contributing to data collection. This increases the likelihood that results will be applied in practice. However, handling this data with care and in an ethical manner is a prerequisite, as successful citizen science depends heavily on trust, long-term engagement and a clearly demonstrable added value for the participants. These relationships require time, strong local partners and transparent, tailored communication with regular feedback on exactly what is being done with their information.

Theme 6 – Partnerships

This roundtable highlighted that successful partnerships stand or fall on explicit agreements regarding differing interests and expectations, ranging from non-commercial objectives to investment logic. Short project durations, complex requirements, staff turnover and unclear safety information present real obstacles, meaning that strong local coordination and follow-up after the project concludes remain crucial. At the same time, roles are evolving: NGOs remain essential for local anchoring, whilst companies are increasingly getting involved to scale up, which requires clear ground rules between the various actors involved in a project.

Theme 7 – Operational challenges

Participants discussed a range of day-to-day challenges within their projects, such as fluctuating exchange rates, translation issues, and difficulties in obtaining visas. Assessing local security risks remotely remains difficult, particularly in contexts where it is unclear who the legitimate government is. Advice from Foreign Affairs is considered useful. Furthermore, striking the right balance between trusting local partners and providing sufficient guidance remains a challenge. Country offices in the country of implementation were cited as an asset for sustainable, efficient implementation and for strengthening local ownership.

More passionate than ever

The event’s objective of fostering knowledge exchange and sharing experiences with international climate projects has been more than achieved. The event concludes with a clear message: despite the scale of global climate challenges, the drive within the network is stronger than ever. The strength lies in cross-sector collaboration, in pooling Flemish and international expertise, and in continuing to encourage innovation.